Explain call by reference, C/C++ Programming

Assignment Help:

Call by Reference

Passing variables(parameters) to a function in C can be done in two ways - pass by value, also called as call by value and pass by address or also known as call by address. C++ though , gives one more way to call a function - call by reference. In call by value , a copy of the actual contents of the variables is passed to the function. In this case, alters made to the formal variable , as they are called, are not reflected back in the calling function. Passing an address permits changes to be made directly to the memory, which are occupied by the actual variable.

Though, a call by address requires the formal variable to be considered as pointer and therefore the indirection operator has to be used with them. A reference on the other hand, is another name, for a previously explained variable. In other words, after a reference is explained for a particular variable, using its original name as well as the reference can refer to the variable. Hence, a reference is nothing but an alias.

 Thus not passing a copy (call by value) saves time and is efficient. It does not have to make a temporary variable /. And not passing the address(call by address), eliminates the use of pointers in the called functions. But, at the same time, the changes made to a formal variable , using its reference or alias can be reflected back in the calling function.

 


Related Discussions:- Explain call by reference

Functions, what is the difference between call by reference and call by poi...

what is the difference between call by reference and call by pointer method?

Memory allocation for objects, when a class is defined the compiler will no...

when a class is defined the compiler will not allocate memory. This is true only for data member not for member function.  As soon as the member function is defined  the require

What is the employ of ''using'' declaration?, A: A using declaration makes ...

A: A using declaration makes it possible to employ a name from a namespace without the scope operator.

Write short note on c++, Introduction to C++ C++ was developed by Bjarn...

Introduction to C++ C++ was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Laboratories in 1983. Originally, it was known as " C with class". C+ as an enhancement to the C language was

Discuss polymorphism in c++, Problem 1. Discuss polymorphism in c++. ...

Problem 1. Discuss polymorphism in c++. Explaining Polymorphism 2. Write a program in c++ to read a 3X2 matrix and find smallest number in that matrix. Writin

Develop libcurl xml project, Develop libcurl XML project I have a Projec...

Develop libcurl XML project I have a Project using XML with C++. You will use things like LIbcurl etc....and a XML parser to finish the project. Developer must know how to use X

Help me for an programming contest .., Pebble Merchant Problem Description...

Pebble Merchant Problem Description There is a pebble merchant. He sells the pebbles, that are used for shining the floor. His main duty is to take the length of the room’s sides

Decodethecode, 6999066263304447777077766622337778 -----> message sent by th...

6999066263304447777077766622337778 -----> message sent by the first smuggler. my name is robert---------> message decoded by the second smuggler. Where ‘0’ denotes the "space".

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd